5th adc meeting

16. Discussions with Portal/Clearinghouse Providers
Compusult’s Participation in GEOSS – Contributions and Operations

Robert Thomas

www.geowebportal.org
Compusult has participated in GEOSS by providing the following: GEO Portal Candidate, GEO Clearinghouse Candidate, Hosting Services. Scenario Participation includes: Polar Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Sub-Saharan African Wildfire, Africa Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Oil Spill Response.
Total of 20 Registered Users (must be registered to be able to easily track metrics); 45 Unique logins since Jan 1, 2008; 145 Searches of the GEOSS Clearinghouse; Help was accessed 19 times. Compusult has committed to host the portal and clearinghouse service until 2010 at a minimum through our hosting facilities.
Why are we participating: Fits with our Corporate Mission; A Contribution to a Global Effort; Fosters Collaboration; Testing and Verification of our Tools; End User Feedback; Getting the Word Out
GEO Portal Future Capabilities:

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  Greater Integration with Google Earth, Google Maps, Google Text Search and NASA’s World Wind
  
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  Catalog upgraded to support CSW 2.0.2
  
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  Better presentation of Results especially for Distributed / Federated Search.
  
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  Usability enhancements from Canadian GeoConnections Discovery Portal implementation
  
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  Easier Style Management for a faster Customized Look and Feel
  
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  More flexible Security
  
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  Metric Tracking - users, searches, etc.
  
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  Additional Online Computer Based Training
  
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  Greater Collaboration Capabilities through: Message Boards, Document Library, Active calendar, Map Annotation, Image Library, Language Translator.
  
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  Improved User Management: Communities of Interest, Dedicated Collaboration Tools.
  
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  A More advanced Content Management System: WIKI Interfaces, Journal Interfaces.
  

GEO SensorWeb Integration:

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  Recently introduced a Sensor Web module
  
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  Based on the recently adopted OGC Sensor Web specifications; SOS, SPS, SAS, etc.
  
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  Provides the capability to catalog and bind to Sensor Observation Services.
  
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  SOSs registered in the GEOSS Registry, will then be harvested and the portal will have the ability to bind directly to the sensor providing live data retrieval.
  

Other Comments:

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  Better Training / Usability: Built in walk-through videos; Create lines of Communications to GEO ADC/UIC.
  
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  Improved Interoperability: Work with multiple CSW clients; Harvest / Search more community portals.
  
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  Promote Greater Portal Usage through upcoming AIP: Ensure each Use Case/Scenario locate services through portals.
  
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  Need More Registered Services: Promotion through our clients.
  
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  Services need Testing: Test services when published at Registry.
  

The Compusult GEO Portal was developed from an off the shelf product. The system has the capability to restrict access if needed. It also has the ability to handle and fill orders. Now adopting a sensor web module that will bind to sensors.

Question: What is the schedule of your upgrades? R. Thomas: In the next week to 2 weeks we will upgrade to a major new version of our software, including implementing sensor web.
Action Item: A request was made for Compusult to provide tracking information (user statistics) on their portal.